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Essay / Communist Allegory in Animal Farm - 1139
According to William C. Foster's book, How to Read Literature Like a Professor, “Almost all writing is political on some level. » (111). In Animal Farm, George Orwell sends a clear message to his readers, showing that greed and hypocrisy can turn an entire society upside down. Using allegory and symbolism, Orwell exposes the true nature of Stalinist Russia; where the population was manipulated through various means including propaganda, violence and false promises. If examined closely, the many characters, events, and ideas in Animal Farm all have something to do with Soviet Russia and communism in general. The intelligent pigs serve as political and ideological leaders on the farm, although Napoleon and Snowball contest every decision made. , ultimately leading to the latter's exile. In the book, Old Major says, “Well, work night and day, body and soul, for the overthrow of the human race!” This is my message, comrades: rebellion! (9). Just like Karl Marx, Old Major has the idea of a revolution, but he cannot see his dream come true. In a way, it also represents Vladimir Lenin because his skull was displayed like Lenin's body, which was displayed in a mausoleum. The book describes Napoleon as "a large, rather fierce-looking Berkshire boar...with a reputation for success" (16). Napoleon is ruthless in his lust for power, even going so far as to lie to get out of difficult situations. More importantly, he frequently uses his loyal attack dogs to dispose of animals that threaten his authority. This is comparable to what Joseph Stalin did under his totalitarian regime, using the NKVD, his secret police, to get rid of his political enemies. On the other hand, Snowball is in the middle of the paper...the human race has finally been overthrown. (31). The horn and hoof on the flag represent the new society founded on the farm after the animals overthrew the humans. It is an allegory of the hammer and sickle used by the Soviet Union and other communist states. Indeed, references to communist ideals and symbols are quite widespread in Animal Farm. “Orwell desperately wants us to understand the point, not the point,” says William C. Foster in How to Read Literature Like a Professor (98). When he wrote this book, one of his main goals was to enlighten his readers about the reality of life in the Soviet Union under Stalin. In Animal Farm, Orwell demonstrates what can happen when leaders become greedy, corrupt, and apathetic to the suffering of their people. Absolute power and dictatorships are particularly dangerous because they can often be abused for personal gain...